A Poem by Tamia

I am a 27-year-old female and the mother of two girls. I am married and live in South Africa. I was diagnosed with HIV in June 2003 when I was 20 years old. I was destroyed, hurt, neglected and devastated. At the time, I had my first daughter from a previous relationship. I had met an older man who was quite matured and caring. We started our relationship in March 2003. Because the relationship was stable and promising I decided to get an HIV test after three months of our relationship. Unfortunately, my result came back positive. When I told him, he did not believe me and did not want to use condoms. He thought I was cheating on him and I was not strong enough to end the relationship. In 2005 I had his baby girl and had some complications, so the doctor needed to see him. I think from that time he started believing that I really was positive. He left me and that was the end of us. In 2009, I met an HIV-negative man who loved me for being honest and we got married this year. I have been on treatment since September 2009.

Let Me Raise My Children

Oh, virus, let me live
Let me raise my children
Let me give them all that I did not have
Oh let me live

You took away the people that I love
My mother, my father and my sister
Now let me raise my children
Oh let me live

I am not scared of you but I respect you
I am not weakened by you but I am afraid you may kill me
I am not sure what are you planning about me

Oh, virus, let me live
Let me raise my children,
Let me give them all that I did not have
Oh let me live

As I travel places with you,
Let me live and allow me to raise my little girls,
I take care of you and take my medication
So please let me live, oh let me live
My children need me more than you

Oh, virus, let me live
Let me raise my children
Let me give them all that I did not have
Oh let me live